Multiple-relay-actuating-mechanism



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. P. WATSON MULTIPLE-RELAY-ACTUATING-MECI-IANISM JAMES P. WATSON,

INVENTOR.

HERZIG g: JESSUP,

Attorneys dum s gMM/f June 18, 1963 J. P. wATsoN 3,094,596

MULTIPLE-RELAY-ACTUATING-MECHANISM Filed Jan. 8, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 O a nigh? aa 53 ff 7 76 uw@ 1 'ffzf Je 32 fa 2a IN V EN TOR.

BY Attorneys JAMES P. WATSON,

HERZIG 8: JESSUP,

United States Patent O 3,094,596 MULTIPLE-RELAY-ACTUATING-itlliCHANISM James l. Watson, Miami Shores, Fla.

(59 Waterway Road, Waterway Village, Jupiter, Fla.) Filed lian. 8, 1960, Ser. No. 1,327 7 Claims. (Cl. Zilli-104) This invention relates to a multiple actuating mechanism which is particularly useful in the form of an accelerationproof relay which operates a plurality of separate switches.

It is an object of this invention to provide an actuating mechanism for operating simultaneously or sequentially, as desired, a plurality of actuable means, and which is substantially free of disturbance by accelerations such as occur from sudden shocks on the mechanism.

It is another object of this invention to provide an acceleration-proof actuating mechanism, and particularly an acceleration-proof relay, which is extremely compact both in bulk and weight.

It is another object of this invention to provide an acceleration-proof relay having a large number of switches contained in a package of small bulk land weight.

It is another object of this invention to provide an acceleration-proof multiple switch relay which may be readily hermetically sealed.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an acceleration-proof relay in which all of the leads or conductors emerge from a single wall of the relay casing, whereby the remaining Walls of the relay may be placed in hidden or relatively inaccessible regions leaving only one face exposed for access to the conductors.

It is a further object of this invention to provide means on the external face of a wall of the relay, whereby the signicance of the conductors or terminals emerging from the casings is readily readable in a schematic terminology universally understandable to all familiar with electrical relays.

lIt is a further object of this invention -to provide a multiple switch relay having a plurality of switches, each of which is adjustable to a plurality of positions so that the switches may be operated in a desired sequence.

In accordance with these and other objects which will become readily apparent hereinafter, a preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. l is a longitudinal cross-section of a multiple actuating mechanism in the form of an acceleration-proof relay, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, and taken on line 1-1 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a cross-section taken on line 2 2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged View illustrating the coaction between the actuating means or member and the shaft of one of the actuable means or switches, shown in two positions of adjustment.

FIG. 4 is a view similar t0 FIG. 3 showing the part-s in dilferent positions of operation.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing one of the actuable means or switches of the present invention in exploded relation to a mounting member by means of which it is secured to the assembly.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the annular actuating member of the relay, having cam surfaces which operate the switches.

FIG. 7 is a View of the undersurface or end wall of the relay housing illustrating the connection indicia marked thereon in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view illustrating one of the links forming a part of the mechanism.

Referring to FIG. 1, 11 designates a circular base plate forming the bottom end wall of a generally cylindrical housing 1-2, within which is contained an acceleration "ice proof multiple switch relay, exemplifying the multiple actuating mechanism yof the present invention.

Centrally located within `the housing 12 is an acceleration-proof solenoid mechanism 13 constructed generally in accordance with the teachings contained -in U.S. Patent 2,884,573, and particularly in accordance with FIG. 5 thereof. 'Ibis solenoid structure comprises a base 14 secured to the base plate 11 by any desired means, and having formed integral therewith an upstanding axial post 16, the upper surface 17 of which constitutes an anvil against which a plunger 18 is drawn by the magnetic field produced by a surrounding solenoid coil 19. The plunger 18 is mounted for slideable reciproca-tion within a tube 21, and is biased upwardly by a compression spring 22, cornpressed between a iiange 23 on the upper end of the plunger 18 and the upper edge 24 of the tube 21. An annular member or ring 26 is disposed circurnjacent the tube 21 above the coil 19, and is mounted for coaxial reciprocation along the axis 27 `of the plunger 18 and coil 19. The ring 26 is provided with a depending exterior iiange 30 and a depending interior flange 28.

The ring 26 forms an annular actuating means for a plurality of actuable means exemplified herein as single pole, double throw switches 31. It is linked to the plunger 18, to be reciprocated thereby and coaxially thereof, by means of a pair of levers in the form of links or arms 32, which are pivoted at their respective centers to the tube 21 by `pivot pins 33. For this purpose the tube 21 is slotted at each side as shown at 34; and at each side of the slots 34 are provided mounting tabs 36 spanned by the pivot pins 33.

Each arm 32 is slotted at each end, as shown at 37, to embrace linking pins 38, secured to the plunger 18 and flange 30, respectively.

By virtue of the struct-ure shown, the ring 26 is linked to the plunger 18 to be moved upward whenever the plunger is drawn downward, and to be moved downward whenever the plunger is moved upward by the bias spring 22.

This reciprocation of the ring 26 operates the switches 31 through the intermediacy of cam means 41 formed on the exterior flange 30 of the ring 26. Each cam means 41 consists of a recess or notch 42, having a step 4.3 formed at the side thereof. The step 43 rides against a torque arm means in the form of an arm 44 secured to a shaft 46 projecting from a given switch 31. The switches 31 are mounted circumferentially around the axis 27, and the shafts 46 project substantially radially inward into the notches 42, so that the arms 44 can be engaged 'and operated by 4the cam steps 43.

Each switch 31 is mounted to a frame means consisting of an intermediate shell 47 forming the casing for the solenoid coil 19, through the intermediacy of a channel member 51 secured as by welding to the shell 47 and facing outwardly to receive the switch 31. Each side edge of the channel member 51 is turned inward to provide flanges 52 which receive therebetween a T-shaped portion 53 formed along the inward facing wall of the case 58 of the switch 31.

Energization of the coil `lil draws the plunger downward, which, as noted hereinbefore, causes the annular actuating member or ring 26 to move upward. In this operation, each torque arm 44 is moved from the posi tion shown at 56 (FIG. 4) to the position shown in broken lines at 57. This rotates the corresponding shaft 46 through approximately l5 degrees, which is sufficient to actuate the switch 31 or other actuable member contained within the case 58.

In the embodiment shown, the movement or reciprocable excursion of the annular member 26 is approximately twice that which is actually required to actuate the shaft 46. This is taken advantage of in accordance with the present invention to provide for iadjustabili-ty of the switches 31, in that some of the switches may be placed at an upper position in the channel member S1, while others may be placed at a slightly lower position. This may be illustrated more specifically in FIG. 3, wherein the shaft denominated speciiically 61 represents the shaft of a switchmounted in the lower of two positions, while the shaft denominated specically 62 represents the shaft of a switch mounted in the upper of the two positions. The step 43 in FIG. 3 is in the position attained when the ring 26 is in a transient, intermediate position generally midway between the fully actuated raised position and the fully unactnated lower position. This position is substantially the position of the apparatus shown in FIG. l. As indicated, this lis a transient position, and it will be noted that the lower switch shaft 61 has been actuated, whereas the upper switch 62 has not yet been actuated. An instant l-ater, `as the step i3 continues to rise, the Ishaft 62 will be actuated, just before the ring 26 reaches its uppermost or fully actuated position.

By providing these two positions of mounting for each switch 31, the switches may be operated in a desired sequence for each stroke of the plunger 18. That is to say, some of the switches may be set to operate early in the stroke and the others may be set to operate late in the stroke.

Such selective mounting of the switches is achieved by providing lower tabs 63 and 6d on the inturned flanges at diiferent heights from the bottom of the channel 51. At the upper end of the channel a tab 66 is provided to cooperate with the lower tab 63, and a higher tab 67 is formed on the inside of the channel where it is slot-ted at 63 to receive the operating shaft 46.

The switches are mounted in the channels by sliding the T-shaped portion 53 into the channel Si from the top. If the lower position is desired, the tab 63 is bent inward to intercept the bottom of the switch case SS and the tab 66 is bent inward, as shown in FlG. 2, to lie above the top edge of the switch and prevent it from being lifted out. If the upper mounting position is desired, the tabs 64.# and 67 are bent inward to intercept the bottom and top, respectively, of the switch case 58.

In FIG. 4 the solid line represents the position of the step 43 in the lowermost position of the ring 26, when the coil 19 is unencrgized `and the plunger 18 is at its highest point. The broken line '71 represents the position of the step 43 when the ring 26 is. in its highest position, with the plunger 1S fully actuated and resting on the `anvil 17. The switch shaft 61 in FIG. 4 is, as indicated hereinbefore in connection with FIG. 3, representative of the shaft of a switch mounted in the lower of the two possible positions. As noted by the broken lines at 57, the operating arm 44 of the switch is swung to its full operating position well before the step reaches the uppermost limit of its excursion. In fact, as seen in FIG. 4, the switch arm 44 has been swung to its fullest limit when the step 43 is only approximately Ihalf-way up. The remainder of the upward excursion of the step 43 is employed to operate the shafts of those switches which are mounted in the higher of the two positions.

FIG. 8 is a diagram corresponding somewhat to FIG. 4 in that it illustrates the position ofthe linking lever 32 at the lower position of the ring 26 (shown by the numeral 74) and at the upper position of the ring 26 (shown by the numeral '76).

The housing 12 includes a ycylindrical casing 78` closed at the lower end by the base plate 11 `and at the upper end by a frusto-conical, integrally formed dome 79'. Between the cylindrical shell 47 and the outer cylindrical casing 78 extend radial panels 81, which `serve the multiple purposes of strengthening the assembly, transmitting heat from the coil 19 to the exterior of the housing, and providing electrostatic `and electromagnetic shielding between switches 31.

In accordance with the present invention, all of the electrical connections or leads are brought out through the base plate 11, as shown at 82 in FIG. l. in passing the leads or connections through the base plate 11, a wire seal such las is disclosed in U.S. Patent 2,898,396 is preferably employed.

In accordance with the present invention, the base plate or end wall 11 is marked on its under, exterior surface with a plurality yof indicia giving schematic indication of the internal electrical connections which correspond to the several conductors or leads S3 that are brought out of the housing. To that end a schematic showing of a connector or wire 86 is marked on the base plate 11, one end of the mark or line 8,6 terminating adjacent the bore through which conductor 83 emerges from the housing 12. The line S6 terminates at the rounded point 87 indicating schematically a stationary contact of a double-throw switch located within the housing 12. Similarly, another line 88 terminates adjacent another conductor 83 and extends over to another circle 89 indicating another stationary contact.

The line 91 indicates the switch armor pole of the switch and it extends from the third conductor 83 of the group of three conductors, 33, S3l and 83". The line 91 extends yover to-ward one of the contact indications 89 and bears against it schematically to indicate that the Contact S9 is the normally closed contactv of that particular switch, leaving contact 37 as the normally open contact.

Thus each group of three conductors $3 has its set of indications corresponding to the part of the switch to which the particular lead extends. Two of the conductors 92 and 93` go to the coil 19, and this is indicated schematically at 94.

While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention which is therefore not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be afforded the full scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

l. Multiple switch relay comprising a solenoid coil means, paramagnetic plunger means reciprocably mounted Within said coil means, rframe means fixedly. secured with respect to said coil means, annular actuating means disposed coaxially with respect to saidcoilmeans, means for linking said annular actuating means to said plunger means lto be reciprocated by reciprocation of said plunger means substantially along said axis and in a direction opposite to the movement of said plunger means, a plurality of switch means disposed circumferentially circumjacent said annular means, each switch means having an operating shaft extending generally radially inward with respect `to said axis, each shaft being provided with torque arm means, said annular means being provided with cam means engaging and cooperating with said torque arm means to eiect oscillation of the respective switch means shaft upon reciprocation of said annular means by said plunger means.

2. Relay in accordance with claim il includ-ing a plurality of longitudinally oriented channel members disposed circumferentially circumjacent said coil means, said channels facing outwardly, each channel receiving one of said switch means, each of said switch means being provided with T-shaped mounting means engaging and slidably adjustable in its respective channel, each of said channels 'being provided with a plurality of bend-v iable tabs which may be selectively bent to engage the switch means therein, whereby each switch means may be mounted in one of a plurality of positions parallel to saidiaxis, thereby to adjust the positions and hence the sequence of operation of Athe plurality of the switch means, effected by movement of the actuating means.

3. Relay in accordance with claim 1 including an ex- -ternal substantially cylindrical casing circumjacent said cylindrically disposed switch means `and :a plurality of radial panels extending between said frame means and said casing.

4. Multiple-actuating mechanism comprising: frame means, annular actuating means, means for mounting said annular actuating means to said frame means for reciprocation of said actuating means substantially along the axis of said actuating means, a plurality of actuable means mounted to said =frame means and disposed substantially circumferentially with respect to said axis, each of said actuable means including a rotatable actuating shaft, each said actuating shaft being provided with engaging arm means for applying a torque thereto, said annular actuating means being provided wit-h complementary engaging means `for operating said engaging arm means to effect rotative oscillation of the respective actuating shaft in response `to reciprocation of said annular actuating means along said axis, thereby to actuate the respective actuable means, and wherein said frame means includes a plurality of channel members, one for each actuable means and adapted to secure the respective actuable means to said frame means, each of said actuable means being provided with a T-shaped portion adapted to reside adjustably yin the respective channel member, each of said channel members being provided with a plurality of bendable tabs which may be selectively bent to engage the actuable means therein, whereby each actuable means may be mounted in one of a plurality of positions parallel to said axis, thereby to adjust the position of operation of the actuable means shaft effected by movement of the actuating means.

5. Mechanism in accordance with claim 4 wherein said 4frame means comprises a generally cylindrical shell to which said channel members are externally secured, said mechanism also including an external, substantially cylindrical casing, circumjacent -said circumferentially disposed actuable means, and a plurality of radial panels extending between said shell and said casing.

6l. Mechanism in accordance with claim. 5 including end wall means at each end of said cylindrical casing closing lthe same and AJforming a substantially hermetically sealed housing for the mechanism, and a plurality of connection leads extending through one of said end wall means.

7. Mechanism in accordance with claim -6 in which said actuating means includes a solenoid coil, and in which each of said actuable means includes switch contacts, and including indicia on the external surface of said last-mentioned end wall means, said indicia comprising schematic indications of internal electrical connections which terminate adjacent the leads extending through said last-mentioned end wall and indicating the nature of the within switch contacts toy which each lead is connected, and also indicating by a schematic coil connection the leads to which said solenoid coil is connected.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,749,408 Herman et al. June 5, 1956 2,828,636' Hall Apr. l, 1958 2,851,646 Williamson et al. Sept. 9, 1958 2,856,485 Zimmer Oct. 14, 1958 2,875,292 Saholt Feb. 24, 1959 2,892,059 Keirans June 23, 1959 2,919,323 Drescher Dec. 29', 1959 2,920,162 Steward et al I an. 5, 1960 OTHER REFERENCES Union Type M Relays, published by Union Switch & Signal Co. 

1. MULTIPLE SWITCH RELAY COMPRISING A SOLENOID COIL MEANS, PARAMAGNETIC PLUNGER MEANS RECIPROCABLY MOUNTED WITHIN SAID COIL MEANS, FRAME MEANS FIXEDLY SECURED WITH RESPECT TO SAID COIL MEANS, ANNULAR ACTUATING MEANS DISPOSED COAXIALLY WITH RESPECT TO SAID COIL MEANS, MEANS FOR LINKING SAID ANNULAR ACTUATING MEANS TO SAID PLUNGER MEANS TO BE RECIPROCATED BY RECIPROCATION OF SAID PLUNGER MEANS SUBSTANTIALLY ALONG SAID AXIS AND IN A DIRECTION OPPOSITE TO THE MOVEMENT OF SAID PLUNGER MEANS A PLURALITY OF SWITCH MEANS DISPOSED CIRCUMFERENTIALLY CIRCUMJACENT SAID ANNULAR MEANS, EACH SWITCH MEANS HAVING AN OPERATING SHAFT EXTENDING GENERALLY RADIALLY INWARD WITH 